Paul

Paul is my neighbour, who I know really well, but not until I interviewed him did I know the full depth of things. As a war veteran he has experienced a lot and interviewing him was devastating in a lot of ways. He was a wild wee youth from Leith who got up to all sorts of no good, and he’s so clever. Really, he was a wee radge, I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that! Joining the army cadets helped him channel that and really gave him a focus and it was so good for him. Straight away from the first point he could, he joined the army. I know that it is his entire identity it has really formed who he is. And he holds no animosity towards the army at all- in fact quite the opposite, even with all that he suffered. 

He's always really cheery and joking with you. He has really looked out for me and helped me when I’ve been in a bad way. And he does that for everyone in the community. He cares so deep and so hard and you can see in this painting where that comes from, and that understanding of trauma and struggle. Paul doesn’t want anyone in the area to go unnoticed. He chats to everyone to get to know who they are and what their stories are.  It’s a huge part of why the area feels really safe, and really supportive as nobody is anonymous.